VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-0L-2D) are set to host Western Conference rival Colorado Rapids (1W-1L-1D) on Saturday with their four-match undefeated streak on the line.
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Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
DRIVE FOR FIVE
The ‘Caps enter Saturday’s contest as one of Major League Soccer’s four remaining undefeated teams, having posted a 2W-0L-2D record in their first four outings.
After opening the season with a 4-1 home victory over New York Red Bulls, Vancouver drew a pair of matches on the road, before returning to BC Place last weekend and earning a 2-1 win over Houston Dynamo.
Now, they’re back at BC Place for a third time this season. Their last two home matches were both sellouts – will another big turnout on Saturday boost the Blue and White to victory again?
If the ‘Caps manage to extend their undefeated streak to five matches, it would mark their best start to a season since joining MLS in 2011.
STOPPING SANCHEZ
If the ‘Caps want to keep their streak alive, they’ll have to find a way to contain Rapids attacking midfielder/striker Vicente Sanchez – something that hasn’t been an easy feat this season.
The 34-year-old Uruguayan has scored four of Colorado’s five goals, which puts him in a tie with Chivas USA’s Erick Torres atop the league’s scoring charts, and each of them have come from the penalty spot.
Sanchez joined the Rapids midway through the 2013 season from Uruguay Primeria Division club Nacional, but countrymate and Whitecaps FC midfielder Nicolas Mezquida said he's still "famous" back in Uruguay.
Last week, Vancouver’s back line managed to keep Will Bruin (who was tied for the league lead in goals at the time) off the scoresheet.
Can they make Sanchez their next casualty?
MAESTRO MORALES
In the offseason, it was no secret that Carl Robinson and his technical staff were searching for a dynamic, attacking playmaker.
It’s safe to say they’ve found their man.
Chilean Designated Player Pedro Morales has wowed the BC Place crowd in both of his home appearances. In Vancouver’s season opener, the 28-year-old scored a goal and an assist while barely breaking a sweat in just 25 minutes of action.
And last weekend, playing atop Robinson’s new-look diamond midfield formation, Morales put on a spectacular passing display that prompted MLSsoccer.com to use dub him as “A Beckham-esque arrival in Vancouver.”
Morales has a goal and two assists in two home matches thus far. Will he add to that total on Saturday?
Whitecaps FC season tickets start at the prorated price of just $312 and single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
